When it comes to casino terms, card sharp is one of the easiest to figure out.
The term refers to anyone gifted with a talent for playing card games, especially casino games. Sometimes, the term is used to refer to a professional player and someone who makes a living by playing casino games.
It doesn’t matter if you’re playing baccarat, blackjack, or poker; if someone calls you or refers to you as card sharp, you should know they are talking about your card prowess.
However, it is very important to note that the term card sharp often isn’t used a compliment. On the contrary, it has a negative meaning and is used to refer to swindlers and cheaters. During the 1600s, people used both card sharp and card shark, both of which have been used to describe shady activities, such as loan sharks for example, so it is important to understand the intention behind a person calling someone card sharp.